Lather and Nothing Else (Short Story) by: Tellez

Q: What is the possible message of Tellez's story? Explain

In the short story "Lather and Nothing Else", the possible message of the story would be

how our roles determine our actions. In society today the work we do, the

responsibilities we have and the work or decisions we choose to do is what would

determined our actions. In the short story theres two main facts proving that our

roles do determine our actions. Firstly, when Captain Torres talks about

killing the revolutionaries subject proves how he once killed those specific people

because of his job and that is what he is known for: "some of them we brought back dead;

others are still alive. but they'll be all dead." not one will escape; not a single one

(Tellez 35)". These comments proves and explains how Torres is really eager to kill

everyone. This shows Torres's role how he acts like a dictator and kill the revolutionaries.

His action were chosen for him and that were to kill the revolutionaries. Secondly, the

part when the barber talks to himself and convinces himself that he has to do his job no

matter what: "I would gave to shave his beard just like any other, carefully, neatly, just as

though he were a good customer, talking heed that not a single pore should emit a drop of

blood (Tellez 36)". This part shows how the barber's role is to shave the beard without

any choice, because that is his job and this is what he is known for. His actions is chosen

for him too because of his profession. These situations shows our profession determines

our actions, our decisions and our actions will determine our work. Whether it is a future

that we would enjoy or a future we will not